Hoist device



Feb. 14, 1950 w. GRIGSBY 2,497,600

HOIST DEVICE Filed May 21, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 i mm Wmunm "1.621 55%Feb. 14, 1950 w. M. GRIGSBY 2,497,600

HOIST DEVICE Filed May 21, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 WILLmM M. Gmqsm;

MWJMM Feb. 14, 1950 w. M. GRIGSBY 2,497,600

HOIST DEVICE Filed May 21, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 WILLIFIM Mfilalassv,

MMZMM Feb. 14, 1950 w. M. GRIGSBY HOIST DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FiledMay 21, 1945 VVILLIHM M Gmesev,

Feb. 14, 1950 Filed May 21, 1945 w. M. GRIGSBY 2,49 7,600

HOIST DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Wmunm MGkvassv, WM JMM Patented Feb. 14,1950 OFFICE 2,497,600 Horse: DEVICE William M. Grigsby, Richmond, Va.

Application May 21, 1945, Serial No. 594,992

15 Claims.

This invention relating as indicated to a hoist device is moreparticularly directed to that part of the hoist which engages or gripsthe object to be moved. There are, of course, many types of hoistdevices but the present construction involves primarilya beam to whichgripping jaws are pivotally attached, there being a rod extendingvertically through the beam which is so connected at its lower end tothe gripping jaws as to exert pressure upon the object being moved uponupward movement of a hoist line which is attached to the rod.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide manuallycontrolled means for opening the gripping jaws so as to encompass theobject being moved with a minimum of effort. This is particularlyadvantageous in heavy constructions adapted to move cumbersome, weightyobjects.

It is a detailed object of the invention to provide means that preventundue outward movement of the gripping jaws.

'-It is another object of the invention to provide means upon thelowerends of the gripping jaws so that the device can be readily movedand also in order to avoid any damage to the mechanism should the samebe accidently dropped to the floor, deck or other surface upon which theobject to be moved rests.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a multiplicity ofgripping shoes which 4 are interchangeable so that any desired pair canbe used in association with the gripping jaws to engage and grip anobject of any contour. For example, it is an object to provide shoeswhich will engage the reinforcing ribs on a conventional oil barrel,these shoes being'interchangeable with other shoes which will grip flatsurfaced objects, such as boxes. Still other forms of shoes have beenprovided to engage objects of tapering, cylindrical formation orobjectsof irregular contour, such as large stones and the like. Statedbriefly, it is an object of the invention to provide means to grip andlift metal drums, concave wooden barrels, boxes, S 'pipe,

stcnes and the like.

A detailed object of the invention is toprovide a: gripping shoe withmeans so that the same will slidedownwardly and over an object to bemoved without damage to the object, particularly in the case of rolls ofpaper and the like.v

A very important and broad object of the invention is toprovide means togentlyllower the gripping device over the object 'to be moved,

such. means. being associated. with .otheameans:

to move the gripping jaws outwardly a distance suflicient to grip theobject to be moved.

A specific object of the invention is to pro vide a hand wheelwhichcontrols the openingmovement of the gripping jaws.

A further specific object of the invention is to provide a hoist gripperwith a quick release meanswhich can be employed where the goods movedare of the type that they can be dropped without injury to the same. Tothe accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention,then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detailcertain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed meansconstituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which theprincipal of the invention may be used.

' In said annexed drawings:

Fig. l is a front-elevation,

- Fig. 2 is an enlarged partial elevation of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a centralvertical section of Fig. 2, Fig. 5 is a partial sectional view taken online 5-5 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 6 is a detailed view of the gearing train, Fig. '7 is a, sideelevation of Fig. 8, Fig. 8 is a rear elevation of Fig. '7, showing oneform of gripping shoe,

- Fig. 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Fig. '7,

Fig. 10 is a side elevation similar to Fig.- 7 of a modified form ofgripping shoe,

Fig. 11 is a side elevation similar to Fig. 7, of astill furthermodified form of the gripping shoe,

Fig. 17 is a rear elevation of another form of gripping shoe, and

Fig. 18 is a side elevation of Fig. 17.

Referring now to the drawings, and more par-- ticularly Fig. 1, it willbe seen that I have provided a hoist device which comprises a hoist rod"I having a, lifting ring In secured to its upper end and a couplingplate 2 secured to its lower end, a pair of links 3-3 provided at theiradjacent ends with bolts slidable in guide slides 1?1, in. the couplingplate 2. Clevises 4 are secured to the opposite ends of the-connecting-.links' 3, these clevises being pivoted by means of bolts ii whichextend through the gripping jaws 5. The gripping jaws are pivoted bymeans of bolts 8 to a horizontally extending beam 9, this beam beingprovided with a multiplicity of holes H so that the gripping jaws may beused with objects of various dimensions.

The construction thus far described is similar to that shown in my priorpatent, 2,364,897, granted December 12, 19%. In both constructions,upwardmovement of the hoist rod I, which. is designed to be attached toa hoist line by means of the ring [0, causes inward movement of thegripping jaws so as to engage the objects to be lifted. The principaldifference between. the present device and that of my prior patentresides in the mounting of the gripping shoes,.the variety of forms ofgripping. shoes and hand wheel and brake, which provide means to controlthe gripping jaws, as well as to quickly release the load when desired.

Referring now, and more particularly to. thelower :portion of Fig. land-Figs. '7 tol l, inclusive, it will be seen that supporting shafts l5extend through. the gripping jaws and have clevises l6 secured at theinner ends of such shafts. This permits a gripping jaw assembly, asshown in Fig. 8, to rotate around a horizontal axis, thus (permitting anobject to be placed upon its ends or upon a side portion thereof. Inaddition to the horizontal rotation, the channel bars I8 are mounted soas to swivel about the supporting bolts H in the clevises [6. Thisconstruction has a dual function in that the channel bars andconsequently, the gripping shoes 2fl28, for example, may be positionedin a' true vertical plane, regardless of the plane in which its asso-vciated gripping jaws 5 extends. In Fig. 1, for instance, it willxbenoted that the. gripping jaws extend inwardly, whereas the channel bar.l8 extends in a true vertical plane. This makes it possible to grip abarrel or other. object in two places with a single gripping shoe, thegripping force or pressure being equally divided between the two shoes20, Zll, as shown in Fig. 1.

The swivel mounting upon bolts I1 hasa further advantage in thattapered. objects, such as those having the general contour of afrustrum; of a cone, may be gripped and easily moved from one place toanother;

The various forms of gripping shoes differ only i in the object engagingmember, that'is; a com.- mon assembly is used-such as. that. shown inFig. 8. In Fig. 8, the channelxbar I8. is. provided with slots 23,through which securing bolts l9 extend, the bar I8 and bolts 19 beingusable with the gripping shoes shown in section in each of Figs. 9, 12and 13.

The particular. shoe of Fig. '7 comprises a curved channel member 2!]having a wedge block 2| secured to its outer rear central portion, theblock having an external contour complementary to the inner contour ofthe channel bar 18. The blocks 2i serve to firmly connect the grippingshoes to the channl :bar l8, and. alsov provide a means to receive theconnecting; bolts I9. A facing 22 is secured by means ofbolt 24 in thebottom of the shoe 29, this particular type being tially secured in themember 26, this member extending beyond the rope at its opposite ends asshown in Fig. 10, thus permitting it to be connected to the shoe 20 bysome such means as bolts 21. The member 26 can be conveniently formed ofpipe which has a portion thereof removed so that more than half of itscircumference remains. The rope is slidably received in the member 28,after which the member 26 is bolted to-the curved channel member: 20".

In another form of gripping shoe, I have provided a pipe like member 21which is roughened soas toprovide a rough engaging surface 28.

. This member may be a pipe having its ends cut an angle so as to permitaccess to secure bolts 29. The various modifications shown in Figs. '7to 14 inclusive involve gripping shoes with intersuitedto gripconventional metal barrels which thisinstance, I'have iprovidedan objectengaging. 7

material in theformof. heavy rope: which is changeable surface engagingmembers, so that a curved object of any configuration may be gripped andmoved, after which another curved object can be moved by merelyinterchanging facing 22 with the shoe 26 or 2'1.

Referring now to the gripping member shown in Figs. 15 to 18, itwill beseen that the flat gripping member 34 of Fig. 15 has attached thereto apair. of clevises 30, the clevises having received therein wedge blocks3|, these blocks being receivable in the channel bar H3. The wedgeblocks 3! are supported in the. clevises by means of the IbOltS 32, thuspermitting oscillation of the fiat gripper 34 with respect to thechannel bar [8. Thus it is possible to engage an object having flatsurfaces which may either extend in a true vertical plane or in a plantat an angle to i a true vertical plane.

In Figs. 17 and 18, I have shown a curved gripper plate 40, this platebeing provided with wedge blocks 44 similar to the wedge blocks 2| inFigs. 7, 8, 10 and 11. Bolts iii are adapted to extend into screwthreaded apertures 45, thus securing the curved plate 40 to the channe lbar Hi. This embodiment of the gripping shoe or plate is provided withmeans to prevent any damage to the-object which is to be moved. This ,1;means comprises rollers M mounted at the extreme ends of plate 413, therollers being supported upon shafts 43 extending through trunnions 42.The object engaging surface of thisform of gripping plate is providedwith a covering 46 which is :preferably of rubber or some such resilientmaterial so that as the device of Fig. l descends downwardly, thelowerroller 4| will first contact the object to be -moved and ill'cause thejaws 5 to move outwardly without damage to the object. As the devicedescends so as tobe in position to exert a full grip the soft face 46will slide over the object thus preventing injury. This modification isparticularly adapted for use in connection with the movement of rolls of:paper, corrugated boxes and other materials which may be easily damagedby careless operators dropping the device upon the object.

Referring now to Figs. 2.to 6 inclusive, it will :be observed thatI'have provided, a hand wheel 51 which is keyed to shaft 50, this shafthaving a small'pinion 58 keyed thereto upon the end opposite to the endupon which the hand wheel is" mounted. Pinion 58 meshes with gear 59which is keyed to shaft I05, this shaft having a pinion H16 keyedthereto which engages the' ratchet on: hoist rod I; From an inspectionof Fig. 6, it will be-noted that as the-hand wheel 5| is. moved in aclockwise direction, the pinion. H16 1 .TEt-isi moved; in acounter-clockwise direction. and

cylindrical bores in opposite ends of;;the block; 10

52. The block 52 is keyed to shaft 50 and moves;- in exact accordancewith the movement of handy. wheel 5|. The dogs 54 are guided in theirmovement by means of bolts 55 which slide .in recesses,

these recesses being somewhatsmaller than thediameter of the dogs 54 andwhich is sufficient-to.;,

provide free movement of the guide screws 55 in pairs, which extendparallel to the axisof shaft 50 and at right angles to the longitudinalaxis of block 52. A leaf spring BI is secured at its-- central portionto the block 52, this'springrbeing i; freeat its outermost ends, thuspressing the dogs 54 intoengagement-with the ratchet teeth at all,

times. Y I

a A brake mechanism is mounted in association with the drum 51 so as tosecure this .drumin any desired position, thus preventing movement ofthe shaft in onedirection, movement :in the other direction beingpermitted by means of the ratchet mechanism. A brake lining is secured30 to the brake .shoe 6|,this brake shoebeingr mounted so that pressuremay be evenly'applied and evenly released throughout the:circumferential surface of the drum 51. For example, it-.

will be noted in Fig.2 that a supporting bar 62.35

extends outwardly from frame member 63 and is. slidably received inbracket 64, there'being a compressed spring mounted upon adjusting screw55 so that the shoe BI is normally urged outwardly, diametricallyopposite to the bar 62 The 4 brake shoe 'is providedwith flanges '66 and61.: These flanges aresupported upon the rod"68, there being arelatively strong spring '69 normally urging the shoe to closed orengaging po-- sition. Apair of springs 10 and Hlare mountedistt ,vided ahoisting device, usually termed a hoist between flanges 66 and 61, thesesprings beingr separated by bracket 12. (See Figs; 2 and 5.)

The division of the springs in this manner equally divides the pressurebeing exerted. A'member 83 1- provided with cam surface 14 is' pivotallycon-:

nected to a pair of links I8,'the*pivotl5 also; extending through theeye of bolt 68* as shown?" inFig. 5. The links 18 are pivotallyconnected'ati 16 to a fixed plate 82, this plate '82 being sup-1" portedby means-of bolt I00 that is attached to 3 the upper main beam 9. Theactuating .link 83; is pivotally connected to the. horizontally 'ex'-.

tending link 13, this link being pivoted at 84 te the operating lever80. The operating 'lever-8ll is pivotally connected to the cross beam9"=by means of bolt 19. Thus it will be seen from an inspection of Figs.1 and 2 that movement to the right of thew operating lever as viewed inFig. 1 will cause the link 13 to move to the left as shown in Fig. 2,

closely approach the object, the operator then;v applies the brake bymoving brake lever to the",

right, thus clamping the brake drum and preventing counter-clockwisemovement of the hand wheel 5|; and shaft 50. The operator next moves thehand wheel in a clockwise direction, this,

causing the beam 9 and the dependent parts to ascend the rack on hoistrod I which in turn causes opening movement of the'jaws 5. When the jawshave been moved slightly beyond the confines of the object to be lifted,the brake is gently released and the jaws descend to a desirablegripping location. It is merely necessary: now to release the brake andpull upwardly on the hoistrodl sincethe shoes will readily grip the"object firmly and securely.

In order to guide the hoist rod l and prevent wear, I have provided aroller I03 mounted on,

shaft I04 as shown in'Fig. 2. I

Referring now to Fig. 1, it will be seen that eachof the gripping" jaws5 has associated there. with" a brake. mechanism so that the object being moved can be maintained in any desired. positionsince the same ismovable about the axis, Thebrake 'lever H0 is similar.;.' to anemergency brake lever being pivoted at .l I l,f

to its gripping jaws 5 and being connectedat its The object is rotatedto a desired position and then of the shaft l5.

lower end to anexternal brake shoe H2.

both brakes are set which will maintain the object in such position.

It is desired to call attention to a modification.

not shown which would be useful in devices of the type shownin Fig. 1where the same is of greatly two diverging arms, the extremities ofwhich are provided with depending control cables. In this hoist.

In conclusion, it will be seen that I-have pro grapple, which willconvey smooth boxes that have either flat or tapered surfaces, woodenbaressary to change from one pair of shoes to another and that thechangeinvolves the loosening In addition, it will and making up of fourbolts. 3 be seen that the shoes are adjustable on their supports so asto efficiently grip a wide variety of objectsto be moved. My device iscapable of operation by one man and requires no great effort on hispart. ,Furthermore, there is no danger of moved about since it isprovided with wheels thus bringing cam surface 14 into engagementfisalb-dt In actual tests, one man can very easily with brake shoeflange 61 which causes applica-r:

tion of the brake to the 'drum'5'l. In operation, the device is loweredto a position immediately over the object to be moved and thenmanipuatean oil drum, the weightof which is 459 lbs.; 'Paper rollshaving a weight of 400 lbs. and more, have also been gripped and lifted.Orien-' tation of the article being -moved so that the the operatorreleases the brake gradually :by a 7 ,same can be placed in a differentposition is very short gentle movement of the lever 80. This causesdescent of the device shown'in Fig. 1. ex cept for the hoist rod I whichis attached to the hoist line and remains'zin a fixedposition; Ass;

easily accomplished. Other modes of applying the principle of myinvention may be employed instead of the one explained, change beingmade: :as. regards .the the: device and'particu1ar1y;.:the" gripping;jaws 1175 ,mechanism herein disclosed, rovidedthe means:

increased proportions. For example, if the hand.v wheel 5| and brakelever 80 are out of reach of. the operator, the lever 80could bereplaced by a. cable actuated member pivoted at l9 and having case, thehand wheel 5| would be replaced by a cable operated wheel somewhatsimilar to a chain.

injury to the operator, nor of injury to the object being moved; Unduespreading of the gripping jaws-5 is prevented by the stops I3l3, and themechanism, regardless of its size; may be easily =2 7 stated want of thefollowing claims or the equiv"- alent of such stated means be Iemployed.

I therefore particularly point out'and' distinctly claim as myinvention:

I. In apparatus of the character described the combination of; a beam,gripping jaws pivotally attached thereto, a hoist rod extending throughsaid beam, the lower end of said hoist rod being connected to saidgripping jaws by means that cause said jawsto approach each otheruponupward movement of said hoist rod, and other means associated withsaid hoist rod and beam to move said beam' withrespect to said rod,whereby said jaws may-be opened; I

2; In apparatusof the character describedthe combination of; a beam;gripping'jaws pivotally' attached thereto, a hoist rod extending'throughsaid beam, the lower end'of' said" hoist rod being connected to saidgripping. jaws by means that cause said jaws toapproach each otherupon'upward movement of said hoist' rod, and other means associated withsaid'hoist rod and beam to move'said beam with respect to'said rod,whereby saidijaws maybe opened, said'l'ast'named means including a rack'on said hoist rod, a train of gears and a hand wheel, one gear of saidtrain being in mesh with said rack and said hand wheel being keyed toand movable with the gears of said train.

3, In apparatusof the character described the combination of; a beam,gripping jaws pivotally attached thereto, a hoistrod' extending throughsaid beam, the lower e'nd'of said hoist rod'being connected to saidgripping jaws by means that cause said jaws to approach each other uponupward movement of said hoist rod, and other means associated with saidhoist rod and beam to move said beam with respect to said rod, wherebysaid jaws may be opened, said last named means including a rack on saidhoist rod, a train of gears and'a' hand wheel, one gear of said trainbeing in mesh with-said rack and said hand wheel being keyed to andmovable with the gears of said train, there being means present toprevent rotary movement of said hand wheel in one direction.

4. In apparatus of the character described the combination of; a beam,gripping jaws pivotally attached thereto,- a hoist rod extending throughsaid beam, the lowerend of'sai'd hoist rod being connected to" saidgripping jaws by means that" cause said jaws to approach each other uponupward movement of said hoist rod, and other means associated withsaid'hoist rod andbeam to move saidbeam with respect to saidrod, wherebysaid jaws may be opened, said last named means including a rack on saidhoist rod, a train of gears and a hand wheel, one gear of said trainbeing'i'n mesh with said rack and said hand wheel being keyed to andmovable with the gears of said train, said last named means including ashaft extending transversely of said beam, said shaft having said handwheel mounted" thereon and gearing associated therewith adapted to meshwith-said rackon said hoist rod.

5. In apparatus of the character-described, the

cause said jaws to approach each otherupon upward movement of said hoistrod, and other means associated with said; hoist rod and beam: to"movesaid beam. with: respect to said: rod;

whereby. said jaws. may be opened; said last thereon namedmeans-includinga rack on said hoist rod",

a train of gears and-a hand-wheel, one gear of said train beingin meshwith said rack and said hand wheelbeingkeyed to and movable withthegears of said train, said last named means including a shaftextending transversely of saidbeam, said shaft having said'hand'wheelmounted thereon and gearing associated therewith adapted to mesh withsaid rackon said-hoist rod, said shaft also having a drum rotatablymounted thereon,

there being brake means associated with said drum.

6'; In apparatus of the'character described, the combination of; a beam,gripping jaws pivotally' attached thereto, a hoist rod extendingthrough" said train being in mesh with-said rack and 'said hand wheelbeing keyed" to and movable with the gears of said train; said lastnamed means including a' shaft extending transversely of said beam, saidshaft having said hand wheel mounted and gearing adapted to mesh.with'saidlrack on said'hoist'rod, said shaftalso having'a drum rotatablymounted thereon, there being brakeimeans associated with saididrum, saiddrum being prov-idedawith ratchet teeth, said shaft having a blocksecured thereto' witha ratchet dog mounted" therein adapted to engagesaidcratchet teeth;

7'. In apparatuslof the character'described', the

combination of; a beam, gripping jawspivotally attached thereto; a hoistrod extending: through: said beam, the lower end of said-hoist rodbei'ng connected to said gripping jaws by means that cause said jaws toapproachea'ch other upon upward movement ofsaid hoist rod, and othermeans. associated with saidv hoist rod" and beam to move said beam:with. respect. to said rod, whereby said jaws may be opened, said lastnamed means'including arackon saidhoist rod,

a train of gears and achand: wheel, one gear of said train being in meshwith said rack andsaid hand wheel. being keyed to'and movable with thegears of saidtrain, said lastnamed means. in-': cluding a shaftextending transversely of said.

beam, said shaft having said'hand'wheel mounted thereon and gearing:associated therewith adapted to mesh" withsaid rack on saidhoist; rod,

saidshaft also having a drumirotatablymounted thereon; there being brakemeansassociated with said drum, a brake lever connected'to said'brake'means, said lever being mounted adjacent said hand'wheeli whereby anoperator may control. said lever and wheel simultaneously.

8. In apparatus of the character described,.the'- combination of; abeam; gripping jaws pivotally" atta'chedtheretoi, a hoist-rodextendin'g'through:

said beam, the lower'end of said hoist rod being connected to saidgripping jaws' by'means that: cause said jaws to approach eachiothenupon1upward movementof said? hoist rod; a clevisrotat- "ablymountedin'each'of said gripping jaws, a bar swivelled to each saidclevis; a plate with a layer of gripping material mountedon' the frontface thereoff andseeuringm'eansi mounted on thecrear:

face thereof secured-to each said bar; saidisecun- I in'g-mear1sincluding a clevisiwithiits base 'se'cured' 5 associated therewith tosaid rear face and a wedge block, said clevis of said securing meansbeing oscillated supported on a bolt extending through the legs thereofand said wedge block.

9. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a beam,gripping jaws pivotally attached thereto, a hoist rod extending throughsaid beam, the lower end of said hoist rod being connected to saidgripping jaws by means that cause said jaws to approach each other uponupward movement of said hoist rod, a curved plate having a layer ofgripping material secured to its front face and rollers mounted atopposite ends, said rollers having axes that are spaced rearwardly ofsaid plate.

10. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said gripping jaws areprovided with gripping shoes.

11. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein said gripping jaws areprovided with gripping shoes, each of said gripping shoes comprising aplate, gripping means mounted on the front face of said plate andsecuring means mounted on the rear face thereof.

12. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein said gripping jaws areprovided with gripping shoes, each of said shoes comprising a curvedchannel member having mounted therein a support that is curved similarto the channel member and which in cross section comprises a segment ofa circle with a rope-like filler retained in said support.

13. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein said gripping jaws areprovided with gripping shoes, each of said gripping shoes comprising athe front face of said plate and securing means mounted on the rear facethereof.

14. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein said gripping jaws areprovided with gripping shoes, each of said gripping shoes comprising aplate with a layer of gripping material mounted on the front facethereof and securing means mounted on the rear face, said securing meansincluding a clevis with its base secured to said rear face and a wedgeblock, said clevis being oscillatory supported on a bolt extendingthrough the legs of said clevis and said wedge block.

15. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein said gripping jaws areprovided with gripping shoes, each of said shoes comprising a platehaving a layer of gripping material secured to its front face androllers mounted at opposite ends, said rollers having axes that arespaced rearwardly of said plate.

WILLIAM M. GRIGSBY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 246,632 Palmer Sept. 6, 1881729,939 Jones June 2, 1903 1,731,674 Lutz Oct. 15, 1929 1,733,084Schmidt et a1 Oct. 22, 1929 2,274,918 Chenette Mar. 3, 1942 2,364,897Grigsby Dec. 12, 1944

